Dolphins’ Howard unsure if he will be here. And Armstead, Davis, Hunt dish on their status
A six-pack of Monday Dolphins notes from the team’s final locker room access until Labor Day, in the wake of Saturday’s 26-7 playoff loss at Kansas City:
▪ With three years and $43 million left on his contract - but none of it guaranteed - cornerback Xavien Howard said Monday he’s unsure if he will be a Dolphin in 2024.
“It’s up in the air,” Howard said. “My eight years here, I made the best of it. If this year is the last year, [if] I have to say goodbye to some of these guys here, I definitely understand.
“It’s part of the business. No matter where I’m going, I’ll still going to do my thing. Whatever comes with it, I’m excited about what will happen.”
Does he have a hunch if he will be back?
“I don’t know,” he said.
What if the Dolphins ask him to take a pay cut from his $15.4 million base salary next season?
“Would you do it if your boss asks you to take a pay cut?” Howard responded. “It’s still money at the end of the day.”
Howard added: “My eight years, I loved it. Whatever happens, I’m with it.”
But he also said: “I’m tired of going to the playoffs and not winning. It’s been eight years, third time going to the postseason, I want to win them games.
“It was supposed to be a Super Bowl this year. We had the talent. We’ll use that as motivation going into this next season.”
Howard would have a $25.9 million cap hit for 2024 if he’s on the team with his current contract; it would shrink to a $7.4 million dead money hit if he’s cut.
Howard missed the final game of the regular season and the playoff game because of what he called a “mid-foot sprain.” He said he was “not close” to playing in postseason.
“I knew it would be three to six weeks,” Howard said. “It got better each week. I’ll be here rehabbing. I’ll be good.”
▪ Guard Rob Hunt, eligible for free agency in March, said the Dolphins and his agent have “talked a little bit” about a new contract. “I don’t want to get into detail about that, but we will see where it goes.”
He said Miami is “the place I want to be, the place I want to raise my family and a place I want to help do great things. That [stinks], especially seeing 23 years without winning a playoff game. I definitely want to be a part of it. This organization is on the right track.”
Hunt was rated a top 10 guard by Pro Football Focus.
“I feel like I’ve done good things to be like, ‘All right, I deserve this,’” he said of a good contract. “But I play this game not just for what I can get from it; I play this game so I can be the best. I haven’t gotten a Pro Bowl, haven’t gotten an All Pro. I want to leave my name in this game. I definitely deserve it. Hopefully, it can be here.”
Left tackle Terron Armstead said “Rob Hunt is on his way to being the best guard in the league. Connor Williams was playing out of his mind” before his season-ending ACL injury against Tennessee.
Williams, also an impending free agent, was on crutches in the locker room on Monday. He wasn’t permitted to speak to reporters because he’s on injured reserve.
Guard Isaiah Wynn, an impending free agent whose season ended with a quad injury, was walking around without any visible issue.
▪ Armstead, 32, didn’t rule out retirement.
Asked if he’s seriously considering it or if he’s likely to return, he said: “I love the game. I love the game. As an artist once said, the moment you stop having fun with it, I’ll be done with it. I’m having a blast. I love what we’re building. I’m chasing a ring. That’s the only reason I’m playing football.”
Armstead has three years and $40 million left on his contract but only $5 million guaranteed.
What would contribute to his decision about next year?
“The body for sure. Definitely got to go out and be able to do it at a high level. I’m never going to be one of those players that is going to get my [butt] whipped. And my kids are getting a little older; my twins are 11, my son is 6. Want to talk to them.
“I’ve never made any decisions right after the season. I talk to God, talk to my kids. That’s been my approach the last three offseasons. It will be the same approach.
“I dealt with a lot this year, probably one of the most challenges years that I’ve had. I found my stride, my formula late in the season, was able to move better and play the way I’m accustomed to playing.”
▪ The Dolphins have had the same defensive tackle starters for four years: Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Zach Sieler. Now Wilkins and Davis are two months from unrestricted free agency.
Davis said the Dolphins and his agent have “been communicating, but I have no idea what has been discussed.”
He said he has “no idea” if the team wants him back.
“I’m hoping I’ll be here,” he said. “It’s my home. It’s my family here. Whatever happens, happens.”
So is there any excitement about entering free agency for the first time?
“No,” Davis said. “I want to be back with my team, this organization. Got no other thoughts on no other teams. I want to be here.”
Davis hopes the troika of himself, Wilkins and Sieler - with defensive line coach Austin Clark - stays for a long time to come.
“That’s big,” Davis said. “You’ve never seen a group stay that long. Even four years, same coach, same three players that have been together that long. I hope all of us come back. I hope all of us come back. Austin Clark is on his contract year. Christian, I hope we are all back in the same room together.
▪ Receiver Chase Claypool, who had just four receptions in 11 games as a Dolphin, said: “I’m very disappointed I couldn’t help more throughout the year. There were circumstances that didn’t allow for that to happen as much as I wanted it to. Any disappointment or shortcomings will lead to harder work in the offseason and a more intentional focus.”
He’s an impending free agent, and it would be surprising if he returns to the Dolphins.
“The experience was great around being around some great coaches who coach expand my knowledge of the game - Wes [Welker], Mike [McDaniel].”
▪ Quick stuff: Receiver Erik Ezukanma’s neck injury that sidelined him most of the season is not career threatening. He will be available next season…
Safety Jevon Holland said he won’t need surgery on his two sprained MCLs that sidelined him for five games, including the playoff game…
Cornerback Eli Apple said he hopes the Dolphins bring him back: “I showed a lot of good things.”
This story was originally published January 15, 2024 at 1:09 PM.
